They both found a secluded place and sat down.
Looking at the stage, the auction still seemed to be in preparation.
Blair kept looking around.
On the table in front of them were several cards with numbers, an oak board, and a sign with a circle drawn on it.
Mikhail watched Blair, who was looking at everything with the eyes of a curious child, with a loving gesture.
—It seems like it's the first time you've come to an auction.
Blair, only then aware that her behavior was unladylike, dropped the sign she was looking at.
—It's just that he had never left the Imperial Palace.
The Emperor forbade me to go out due to danger, and also because I was delicate...
In reality, the main reason was something else.
Blair didn't like attention.
That for the simple fact of being a princess, each of her words and each of her looks were followed by multiple conjectures.
That many people judged her by a fleeting image.
And…
Please don't embarrass your mother!>That Katrina became pathologically obsessed with a single mistake.
That's why it still bothered him to attract attention.
But since she became a duchess, having freed herself a little from those gazes, she had wanted to go out into the outside world, which she had never been able to see well when she was a princess.
With Herdin.
Because if she went with him, the looks of others would stop caring.
Since it's cold, wrap up warm and come back.>But he was busy, and when he had time, it was difficult to leave the bedroom.
So I thought that was love.
Because at least he cared about her lovingly.
Although she really wanted to go out and see the world, she also liked being in his arms.
Perhaps, even knowing it, he pretended to understand it and tried to justify it so as not to feel miserable.
Suddenly remembering the past, Blair smiled wryly.
Seeing the bitter smile that appeared on her lips, Mikhail smiled and opened his mouth:
—I will have to take her to many places with the excuse of the assignment.
I know many good places in the capital.
Suddenly I feel with a great responsibility.
At Mikhail's words, Blair blinked.
She didn't understand why he offered to do her that favor.
After a moment's thought, Blair easily came to a conclusion.
His favor was simply a capitalist favor to his client.
Because it was difficult to think that there were ulterior motives hidden behind his smile and his favor, so sincere and selfless.
Without realizing it, the auction preparations were almost finished.
Seeing him, Mikhail opened his mouth:
—Before the auction itself begins, there is something I would like to ask the lady.
Blair instinctively sensed that what he was going to bring up had to do with Caligo.
And he, as expected, mentioned that name.
—That man called Caligo Elpharind, is a knight of the ducal family of Delmarck.
Could you ask him why you are investigating him?
At his question, Blair jumped.
One of the reasons he had met Mikhail today was to hear news about Caligo.
But I couldn't tell him the details.
<…I can't tell him that that man will kill me in the future.>
Seeing that Blair hesitated and did not respond, Mikhail, as if he had expected this reaction, asked again:
—If you find it difficult to speak, could you at least tell me if it is for a good reason or a bad reason?
—It's a… personal and unpleasant matter.
Hearing Blair's response, Mikhail's brow furrowed.
The bad feeling he vaguely had grew stronger.
Of course, it was still a "gut feeling." If he talked about something that wasn't safe, it might even put her in danger.
I needed to dig a little deeper.
—For now, I will continue investigating.
He may be a more dangerous person than he seems, so keep your distance as much as possible.
As soon as Mikhail finished speaking, the presenter who would lead the auction appeared on the stage.
Shortly after, the auction began.
—
Of great stature, with a face so beautiful that the adjective "beautiful" suited him well.
A man who, just by standing looking at a painting, became a work of art along with it.
It was Herdin Delmarck, the main investor in this museum.
Eloise, his mother and former Duchess of Delmarck, came from the Marquesal of Piace family, famous for patronizing artists.
Perhaps because she grew up in that environment, she also had a deep knowledge of art and patronized many poor artists during her lifetime.
Herdin, his son, continued his legacy by investing in the museum.
But every time the director saw him, he felt afraid.
Not only because of his unrealistically handsome appearance, but because this man had a cold imposing presence that could not be described in words.
Even leaving aside the fact that he was the museum's largest investor.
And even more so today.
Although when his assistant was with him, it wasn't so scary.
The director, who had been watching Herdin out of the corner of his eye, asked him cautiously:
—Eh, didn't you come with your assistant today?
—I had other matters.
Ruth had been voluntarily going to work outside the office for several days.
Although the interested party had no idea that it had been a decision he had made to avoid Herdin, who was especially sensitive about the contract marriage.
—Ah… I see.
The director's face quickly darkened, but Herdin, with his gaze fixed on the painting, did not notice.
—I've been looking and there are many good paintings.
I'll be back soon.
The private museum changed the works on display periodically.
With the aim of attracting visitors with new exhibitions and, at the same time, discovering new artists.
The works of art that finished their exhibition passed into the hands of the nobles through auctions or sales.
—Do you want to buy a painting?
If you tell me right now which one you like, I'll save it for you.
—No, my wife will choose the paintings.
A few days ago, Ruth had told him about the day she prepared the dance with Blair.
That Blair had said it would be nice to hang more pictures on the walls.
Since he was now in the museum, he remembered it and, somewhat impulsively, arranged to meet the director.
The director looked at Herdin strangely.
When Herdin and Blair's wedding was announced, people thought he would disdain her.
Because the bad relationship between the Imperial Family and Delmarck was known to everyone.
But Herdin, as he was now, seemed to appreciate his wife.
Although perhaps it was just an act for public image.
Whatever the truth, you just had to play along.
—Haha, of course, when it comes to decorating a house, the lady's taste comes first.
So if you let me know the day before, I'll wait for you.
Herdin left the exhibition hall with the director.
Just then, a large group of people emerged from the basement.
When Herdin watched that scene, the director was quick to explain:
—Ah, today is the day of the welcome-to-spring auction.
It seems like it just ended.
If you are interested…
…To be continued